JOHN UTAKA has told ­Portsmouth they may be the underdogs in the FA Cup semi-final, but that is no reason to fear Tottenham.

Utakawas a member of Harry Redknapp’s Pompey side who won the trophy two years ago but, on that occasion, they were hot favourites to beat Championship club Cardiff.

Now the tables have turned as the Pompey paupers try to reach the final again on Sunday at the expense of a Spurs side not only managed by Redknapp, but likely to include several former Fratton Park favourites.

However, Nigeria striker Utaka, who scored twice to knock out Sunderland in the fourth round, believes Pompey can spring a Wembley surprise.

Utaka, signed by Redknapp from Rennes for £7STnS million in the summer of 2007, said: “Because of all the problems we have had this season, it has brought everybody together – and that will be very important at Wembley.

“We have all been through a lot, but now we must put that to the back of our minds, go there with our heads held high and make sure we win.

“This club have beaten going out of business, so now it is up to us to beat Tottenham.”

Utaka missed the semi-final against West Brom two years ago but earned a recall for the final and it was his cross that led to fellow Nigerian Kanu scoring the game’s only goal.

“I have fond memories of the final so it is very exciting to be back at Wembley again,” said Utaka.

“People look on us as the underdogs against Tottenham but I do not believe we are; I am convinced we are up to the task.

“It would be great to reach the final again, so let’s just go out there, play for each other, do what we are told to do and make sure we win.

“We all know that despite the poor season we have had, this is a one-off cup tie, so anything can happen.

“Of course we are coming up against our former manager, as well as players such as Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar, who used to be our team-mates. They are still our friends, but the only thing we should be concerned about is beating them.

“They won’t be our friends for the 90 minutes on the pitch, but afterwards we will shake hands, whoever wins. We just hope it is us. It has been a very long and difficult season, so this is an opportunity to put a lot of that behind us and go out and win – not only for the players but for the club and the fans.

“I just have that feeling that, after everything that has happened, this will work out well for us.”

Even though relegation to the Championship is inevitable, Utaka is full of admiration for the way in which manager Avram Grant has tried to steady the Pompey ship.

He said: “The boss has done a very good job in bringing everyone together in very difficult times. Now the most important thing is to show that we are still together.

“It has been a tough season for me because of a few niggling injuries. Nothing really serious, but just enough to keep me out of action. Thankfully, I am back and all right now.

“It would be very nice to win the cup again. If we can overcome Tottenham, then I don’t mind whether we face Aston Villa or Chelsea in the final. Once you get that far you have to believe that you can beat anyone.”

Defender Steve Finnan, who was in the Liverpool side that won the FA Cup in 2006, knows that when it comes to the cup, all bets are off.

“Looking at form and ­position in the league, it’s obvious Spurs will be the favourites,” he said. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing for us.

“Being the underdog can alleviate the pressure. In my Liverpool days we were always expected to win games and that adds pressure.

“No one is expecting us to get through this weekend but we’re ­quietly confident. It’s a one-off game and things might even themselves up on the day.

“After everything that’s gone on this season, the fact we’ve got to the semi-final is an outstanding ­achievement, but if we can go one better, that will be the pinnacle of our season.